Richard Arlen Lyons – Obituary

Richard Arlen Lyons died on April 11 at Huntsville Hospital surrounded by his family as he went home to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ. Richard was born June 3, 1946 to Rosco and Ollie Mae Lyons. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Hayes, and his brother, Jimmy Dickerson. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Terri Whatley Lyons; sister, Myra Dillman; brother, Raymond Dickerson; daughters Deede Lyons Jones (Beau) and Amy Lyons Crisler (Alan); grandsons Wyker Jones, Ian Jones, Nate Crisler and Witt Crisler; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Lyons attended Lee High School (Huntsville), graduated Lawrence County High School, and received a B.S. in Business Administration from Athens State College. He then spent 37 years in the banking industry working for various institutions including: First Alabama Bank in Hartselle and in Livingston, First Federal Savings and Loan of Decatur, and then finished his banking career as President of Colonial Bank in Hartselle. He also served as a Morgan County Commissioner and finished out the final 10 years of his career as Community Development Team Leader for Community Action Partnership of North Alabama. Richard served as Director and Secretary of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce; as President of the Hartselle Kiwanis and Civitan Clubs; he was a member of the Rotary Club of Hartselle; and he volunteered for Junior Achievement and the United Way of Morgan County. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Hartselle where he served as the chairman of the finance committee. Despite the deep passions he had for his career and community involvement, nothing made Richard happier than playing sports while in high school, and then later attending his grandsons’ youth and school sporting events. He was a loving and adoring husband, father, and grandfather. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on his birthday, June 3, at First United Methodist Church, Hartselle. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Action Partnership of North Alabama.